He’ll be staying at our place until daiskmeliadorn and Sam get settled in Binghamton, NY, in a place that can accommodate him. Meanwhile, we’re getting ready to host his visit by installing a (hopefully) Bruce-proof gate. Bruce is a very powerful jumper, and last time he visited he leapt over the gate in a desperate attempt to avoid being left home alone. The new gate is taller (1.8 m, or 6 feet), and doesn’t have spaces between the palings that would allow him to watch people leaving. I ordered it, and last weekend I hung it and fitted a latch. The new gate is covered with the blue tarp at the moment to protect it until it is painted. But that’s not my job!

I have also set up an internet-connected BruceCam in the back room where he may be shut up when there’s no one else at home. This will allow us to remotely check on whether he appears comfortable with the situation, although I’m not sure what we’ll do if we see and hear him barking or chewing his bedding. I thought about putting a speaker in his room so we could use our phones to talk to him – but that just might do more harm than good.

It’s a bit like being a new parent, isn’t it? There’s plenty of advice available, but in the end, every case is different and you just have to do the best you can – knowing that in years to come you’ll realise what a bad job you did.